2027 Leadership Urbandale

Hi, I am Windy Bennett, a Utilization Management Specialist in Johnston. I am a dental hygienist working in healthcare operations mainly with IA Medicaid members to support individuals by ensuring access to quality care and resources. With this role, I am committed to collaboration, process improvement and building strong relationships across our team and organization to allow for effective and efficient healthcare resources.
I am interested in developing stronger leadership skills here.  I appreciate a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.  Working with a group of like-minded individuals gives me drive and a feeling of belonging before ever meeting the group.
Outside of work, I enjoy my group bike rides, traveling to hike different parks and spending time with family and friends. My 3 children are grown but we stay very active in activities. My three grandchildren keep us in the stands for school and sporting events! 

Hi, I'm Kate, the Community & PR Specialist with Homemakers Furniture! I run our Volunteer Time Off program and our Sponsorships/Donations requests and would love to share more with anyone looking to partner! I love all things Des Moines Metro, and can be found attending arts & culture events and festivals, shopping at local businesses, and enjoying local restaurants and coffee shops!

My name is Jason Brown, I’m a West Des Moines native and graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Finance.
I began my career in health insurance, developing a foundation in sales, risk management, and client service. Now, I apply these skills in the managed IT industry. 
As a consultant with Infomax Office Systems, I partner with organizations to support any or all pieces of their IT department.
We reduce cyber risk and provide 24/7 support to make technology a strategic advantage for our clients.
Outside of work, I coach middle school weightlifting and volunteer for Winefest.
My wife, Lilli, and I are expecting our first child in December.
I’m extremely grateful to be selected for Leadership Urbandale and I’m looking forward to becoming more involved in the Urbandale community.

Jennifer “Jen” holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and an MBA and is a licensed Consultant Pharmacist with a passion for leadership, community engagement, and building meaningful connections. Throughout her career, she has served in clinical, operational, and leadership roles across multiple healthcare settings, with experience spanning emergency medicine, critical care, quality improvement, and healthcare operations.
Outside of healthcare, Jen enjoys being part of Cottontail Lounge’s growth through creative marketing, community events, and fundraising initiatives that bring people together. She believes strong leadership is rooted in service, collaboration, and a willingness to keep learning. Jen is excited to be part of the Leadership Urbandale class and looks forward to building relationships while making a positive impact in the community.

Chayce Coenen has built his career around helping shape thriving communities - not just for today, but for future generations. As Business Development Manager with The Samuels Group, he partners with clients in the public and private sectors throughout Iowa to help transform ideas into realities. Raised in Urbandale and a graduate of Urbandale High School, Chayce has always felt a strong connection to the community that helped shape him. He is passionate about building lasting relationships, fostering community engagement, and driving economic development. Outside of work, Chayce enjoys time with his wife, three children, and their Australian Shepherd, Oakley. He currently volunteers with organizations like the Puppy Jake Foundation and Goodwill of Central Iowa. Through Leadership Urbandale, he hopes to deepen his understanding of the city, strengthen local relationships, and continue giving back to the community he will always call home.

Aaron Cronk is the Customer Experience Team Lead at Webspec. His professional journey has been shaped by a diverse range of professional experiences, beginning with 6 years of service in the United States Navy. The discipline, accountability, and servant-leadership principles he developed in the military continue to influence his approach to leadership today. 
Aaron is deeply committed to serving his family and community. He and his wife, Sarah, have been married for 26 years and have raised four children. He currently serves as Treasurer of Madrid Evangelical Free Church. Aaron is also a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, where he values the opportunity to mentor younger students and model the principles of humility, perseverance, respect, and servant leadership. Aaron is passionate about investing in people and developing the relationships that strengthen organizations and enrich the lives of those around him.

Jill is a Commercial Property Manager with a 12-year tenure at R&R Realty, driving operational excellence across an extensive portfolio of office, flex, and industrial properties. Jill specializes in property management, capital planning, and the best part is building connections with her customers. A few local organizations that Jill has volunteered at are Every Step, Amanda the Panda, Meals for the Heartland, and Habitat for Humanity. Jill recently became a resident of Urbandale as well and looks forward to getting involved and supporting her community. In her free time, Jill enjoys traveling with her significant other, Lonnie. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and attending any outdoor events (music, sporting events, etc).

John Jungling is the Branch Supervisor at Van Meter’s Urbandale location. John has more than 20 years of experience in the electrical industry, with a background spanning operations, sales and account management. Currently he works with his team to serve customers, help the branch operate effectively and create opportunities for employee-owners to learn, grow and succeed.
Outside of work, John is involved in the Central Iowa community and enjoys supporting local nonprofits and youth programs. As a former youth coach and mentor, he values teamwork, trust and helping others grow and succeed.
John lives in Central Iowa with his wife and son. In his free time, he enjoys fitness, volunteering and playing poker. He is excited to be part of the Leadership Urbandale Class of 2027 and looks forward to growing as a leader, meeting new people and becoming more involved in the community.

I am the AVP Branch Manager of Iowa State Bank. I have been in the banking world for over 30 years. 

Ashley Preuss, MS, CCLS is the Director of Programs at Children’s Cancer Connection where she leads a team that provides statewide programs, camps and services that support Iowa families impacted by childhood cancer. Drawing experience in healthcare and nonprofit leadership, she is passionate about creating meaningful connections, expanding access to resources and helping families thrive. As a Certified Child Life Specialist, Ashley spent over seven years serving children and families at Mayo Clinic, where she led organizational initiatives, developed educational programs, supervised future professionals and pioneered child life services in pediatric psychiatry and virtual care settings. Ashley holds a Master of Science from Illinois State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Gustavus Adolphus College. She is excited for the opportunity to connect with and learn from fellow leaders and engage in meaningful self-reflection.

I’m Hayley Sever, an Operations Processor II at Midland Credit Union, and I live in West Des Moines. I enjoy getting to know new people, trying new things, and finding opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. Outside of work, I love to travel and explore new places, spend time with family and friends, and get lost in a good book. Most of my free time is also spent with my two dogs, Goose and Georgia, who definitely keep me busy and entertained. I’m looking forward to connecting with others, learning from different experiences, and continuing to grow as a leader and member of the community.

Anna Steenson holds a Master of Arts in Communication Leadership from Drake University, in addition to bachelor's degrees in Journalism and Mass Communication and Music. She serves as the Marketing and Communication Specialist for the City of Urbandale.
Throughout her career in local government, nonprofit organizations, video production, and strategic communications, Anna has centered her work on community storytelling—capturing and sharing the people, experiences, and initiatives that shape stronger communities. She has produced documentary and visual storytelling projects for nonprofit and community organizations, using storytelling to preserve local history, lift diverse perspectives, and increase awareness of issues and initiatives that matter to the communities they serve.
Anna is committed to collaborative leadership, lifelong learning, and using thoughtful, meaningful communication to create lasting community impact.

I’m Jeff Thibadeau, Founder of Business Tree Benefits.

I started the company because Iowa business owners deserve better than “set it and forget it” health insurance. With a background in sales leadership and insurance operations, I saw firsthand how often businesses were given plans, but not real guidance.

Today, I focus on helping small employers build benefits strategies that actually support their business, not work against it.

No more mess. No more generic renewals. Just a benefits plan that scales with you.

Kelly Troxel graduated from Iowa State University with a major in Marketing! With her background in marketing, event planning, and in the chamber industry, Kelly is excited to help in serving our mission by promoting and planning our events, communicating with members, and making sure you get your Chamber benefits!

In her free time, Kelly enjoys sewing (especially quilting), attending vintage and flea markets, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends.